-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Botswana has been hailed as one of Africa 's success stories and a beacon for democracy on the continent . It 's home to Africa 's longest continuous multi-party democracy and has remained politically stable since gaining independence in 1966 .

President Ian Khama took office in April 2008 promising steady progress .

At its helm is President Ian Khama , the country 's former vice president and son of Botswana 's founding president .

The diamond trade and disciplined government have helped to transform Botswana from one of the world 's poorest nations to a middle-income country . But there are still large problem facing the country , including the world 's second high level of HIV infections , according to the World Bank , and a slowing of the countries economic growth .

The 56-year-old Khama took over office in April 2008 , succeeding Festus Mogae who had been in power for 10 years , promising no radical departure from his predecessor 's policies .

Khama was born in southern England and trained at the UK 's Sandhurst Military Academy before returning to Botswana and later becoming the commander of the Botswana Defence Force .

He left the military in 1998 to take up the position of vice president . As the son of Botswana 's most popular former president , political analysts inside the country have expected Khama to unite the factions in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party -LRB- BDP -RRB- and continue steady economic and political progress .

While Khama has only been in power for 11 months , there has been some criticism that his style is too authoritarian .

Citing Afrobarometer , an independent research group , Botswana 's newspaper Sunday Standard recently wrote that there was a growing public perception that Khama has issued more directives compared to his predecessors .

One area in which he has taken a definite line is on his policy towards neighboring Zimbabwe , publicly opposing the government of President Robert Mugabe and declaring it illegitimate .

A general election is set for October 2009 , with the BDP expected to win . No other political party has held power in Botswana and some commentators fear the emergence of a political dynasty that would affect Botswana 's democracy .

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Botswana 's President Ian Khama talks to CNN on ` African Voices '

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Former military general and son of Botswana 's first president

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Botswana is one of Africa 's success stories although HIV and Aids are rife